High speed amalgamator universal capsule holder

ABSTRACT

A capsule holder has a retainer, the latter having an open area in the center thereof for the insertion of a capsule between two spring biased detents. The detents are reciprocably confined within the ends of the retainer, and biased toward the center thereof. The opposing faces of the detents are shaped to securely accommodate all makes of capsules, and each detent has an open extending therethrough to accommodate capsules having a neck or other extension thereon.

United States Patent [191 Schubert HIGH SPEED AMALGAMATOR UNIVERSAL CAPSULE HOLDER.

[75] Inventor: Thomas J. Schubert, New York,

[73] Assignee: Pennwalt Corporation, Philadelphia,

22 Filed: Dec. 17, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 209,259

[52] U.S. Cl 269/254, 259/DIG. 20, 259/72 [51] Int. Cl B25b 5/00 Field of Search 259/DIG. 20, 91;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1966 Thiel 259/29 [111 3,749,390 [451 July 31, 1973 1,413,651 4/1922 Burnett 259/91 3,243,550 3/1966 Hollins 337/195 Primary Examiner-Harold D. Whitehead Assistant ExaminerRobert C. Watson Attorney-Edward A. Sager 57] ABSTRACT A capsule holder has a retainer, the latter having an open area in the center thereof for the insertion of a capsule between two spring biased detents. The detents are reciprocably confined within the ends of the retainer, and biased toward the center thereof. The opposing faces of the detents are shaped to securely accommodate all makes of capsules, and each detent has an open extending therethrough to accommodate capsules having a neck or other extension thereon.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENTED JUL 3 1 I975 sum 2 or 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to high speed amalgamators in general, but more particularly it relates to an improved capsule holder which is a component of such an amalgamator; such amalgamators are used in the dental field to mix the ingredients in dental capsules.

Over the past several years, in an effort to increase the effectiveness of the mixing operation, the rotational speed of the vibrators in amalgamators has risen from around I800 rpm to approximately 3200 rpm; an amalgamator utilizing the latter is considered a high speed amalgamator. As the speed has risen, the problem of effectively securing the capsule within the capsule holder during mixing has intensified. In some cases, one end of the holder is released, and the capsule is inserted into the holder after which the end is tightened with a nut or other similar means. To remove the capsule from the holder, the nut must again be loosened and the end of the holder moved away from the capsule in order to remove it. This requires an additional step, and over the long run is time consuming.

To overcome the above problem of holding capsules securely, attempts have been made to design a capsule holder which will accommodate the contours of the average capsule which is to be mixed. As the number of capsule manufacturers has increased over the years however, this has come to be a real problem. Capsules come in numerous assorted sizes and shapes; not only the length of capsules vary, but also the diameters and configurations thereof vary. Because there has been no attempt on the part of the capsule manufacturers to standardize the sizes and shapes of capsules, it has become increasingly important to design a capsule holder which will accommodate and securely hold substantially all of the various makes of capsules presently on the market during high speed mixing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTICN The present invention relates to a universal capsule holder for use as a component of a high speed amalgamator, the holder being capable of holding substantially all makes of capsules presently on the market.

This capsule holder has a retainer having a substantially cylindrical cup on each end thereof, and having a detent reciprocably confined in each cup, each detent being biased toward the center of the capsule holder. Each detent has-an opening extending therethrough, the opening being defined by a tubular extension which extends-through the end of the retainer. This tubular extension thus defines an opening through which portions of certain capsules mightextend'during vibrationv thereof. Each detent has a dished surface against which one end of the capsule abuts during the retention thereof. The dished surface has a circular shoulder formed therein to accommodate capsules having a circular squared end on one or both ends thereof. At the top of each detent, a portion of the dished surface is removed so as to facilitate the insertion of the capsule into the holder.

To retain the detents within the cylindrical cups, generally Ushaped retainer clips slide fit into openings on diametrically opposite sides of the cup to cooperate with a recess formed in each of the detents the recesses being formed so as to regulate the length of stroke of the detents within the cup shaped portion. Each retainer clip has two parallel legs which have parallel surfaces formed thereon so as to co-act with parallel surfaces in recesses formed in each of the detents, to pre vent rotation of each detents within its associated cup. This permits the detents to remain in the proper position so that the removed portion of the dished shaped surfaces is always on the top of the capsule holder so as to facilitate the insertion of a capsule into the holder.

The tubular extension not only permits the neck or other extensions of certain capsules to extend therethrough during the-mixing operation, but also serves to guide each detent during reciprocable movement thereof. The tubular extension also insures that the capsule extension or neck extends completely through the retainer and consequently that it does not hit,

against the inside of the retainer during mixing.

Also, by biasing each detent toward the center of the capsule holder, this allows each detent to follow the capsule during the vibration thereof so as to be certain that the capsule is securely retained in the holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an amalgamator utilizing the present improved capsule holder.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the improved capsule holder per se, showing a capsule being inserted into the holder.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the improved capsuleholder.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the capsule holder.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinalcross-sectional view taken through line 5-5 at one end of the capsule'holder.

FIGL'6 is a transverse sectional view taken through line 6- 6 at one end of the capsule holder."

0 DETAILED DESCRIPTION or THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, a high speed'amalgamator 10 is shown which includes timer-vibrator unit 12 having the present improved capsule holder 14 mounted on top thereof; as stated above present day high speed amalgamators are capable of operating at3200 to 3400 rpm. A unit such as illustrated by the numeral 12 will move a capsule 16 contained withinholder l4 through a substantially FIG. 8 path as viewed from the top of amalgamator 10. Thus, not only is capsule l6 subjected to high rpms, but the capsule is subjected to a wide va riety of longitudinal and transverse force components during the vibrating thereof. While this increases the effectiveness of mixing operation, it also presents problems relative to retaining the capsule securely within presently available capsuleholders. As stated above however, the present invention is dire'ctedtoan im-' proved capsule holder 14 which iscapable of securely holding substantially all known makes of capsules presently on the market during high speed vibration.

Referring'to FIG. 2, it can be seen that capsule holder 14 is comprised of two generally cylindrically-shaped cups 18 at each end thereof, each of these cups having a detent 20 reciprocably confined therein so as to clamp capsule I6 therebetween during the mixing or vibrating operation. Each detent 20 has a dished surface 22 which assists in centering and retaining the capsule in place. Each dished surface 22 has a portion 24 removed at the top of each detent so as tofacilitate the insertion of capsule 16 into the holder 14. A rib 26extends across the open space between cups 18, the rib being affixed to cover plate 28 by screws 30, the cover plate being securely fastened to a vibrator (not shown). The vibrator transmits the vibratory motion to a shaft 36, the latter extending through opening 32 of casing 34. Because cover plate 28 is secured to shaft 36, the vibratory motion is transmitted to holder 14.

Referring to FIG. 4, the detailed construction of capsule holder 14 will be described. Retainer 17 includes an end wall 38 on each end thereof and a generally cylindrical side wall 40 extending inwardly towardthe center of the retainer. Together, the end walls 38 and the cylindrical side walls 40 define two generally cylindrically-shaped cups 18 on each end of retainer 17, cups 18 being spaced apart to define an open area 42 therebetween. As described above, a longitudinally extending rib 26 extends across open area 42 and connects cups 18 to each other; rib 26 also serves to connect holder 14 to cover plate 28 via screws 30, cover plate 28 being connected in turn to a high speed vibrator as described above.

Reciprocably confined or retained within each cup 18 is a detent which is biased toward the center of retainer 17 by a coil spring 44. Detent 20 is reciprocably retained within cup 18 by means of a generally U- shaped retainer clip 21 which has an annular portion 48 and two generally parallel legs 50. Retaining clip 21 is mounted around retainer 17 so that the legs 50 thereon extend into openings 52 formed in diametrically opposite sides of cylindrical walls 40. Each leg 50 has a flatsurface 54 which slidably engages flat surface 56 each recess 58 which cut into the diametrically opposite sides of the outer diameter of an annular extension 60 formed on each detent. Each recess 58 is a longitudinally extending recess which, in conjunction with retaining clip 21 and the openings 52 serves to control not only the stroke length of detent 20 within cup 18, but also prevents thegdetent from rotating about a longitudinal axis extending through retainer 17 and about which each cup 18 is formed. This'serves to keep the cut out portion 24 of dished surface 22 on the upper or top side of holder 14. As stated above, this serves to facilitate the insertion of a capsule 16 into holder 14 by allowing the ends of the capsule to be moved downwardly through removed portion 24 toward the center of detent 20.

Each detent 20 also includes a tubular extension 62 which serves to partially define'an opening 64 extending through the detent, and is formed about the longitudinal axis thereof. Opening 64 is provided for those capsules which have an extension thereon, sometimes in the form of a neck to be broken off after mixing, the extension thus being able to extend through the opening 64'during the mixing operation. Tubular extension 62 of each detent extends through an end opening 66 formed in each end wall 38 the latter opening also being formed about the longitudinal axis. Extension 62 serves to guide detent 20 during its reciprocal movements while also insuring that any extension of a capsule which may be contained within holder 14 protrudes through detent 20, and through the end of cup 18.

Certain capsules which are on the market at the present time have a squared circular end which must be provided for if a capsule holder is to accommodate this capsule. Accordingly, a circular shoulder 68 is formed in the dished surface 22 of each detent. Thus, a capsule having such a squared circular end may be inserted into holder 14 with that end of the capsule facing in either direction.

As can be seen, capsules of substantially all shapes and sizes can be securely held or retained with the present holder so as to have the contents thereof thoroughly mixed during high speed vibration or mixing. By providing coiled springs 44 at each end of holder 14, detents 20 will follow the longitudinal movements of the capsule throughout the. ,vibrating motion thereof during the mixing operation, thus insuring that the capsule will be securely retained within the holder.

I claim:

1. A universal capsule holder for use on a high speed vibrator comprising:

a. an elongated retainer formed about a longitudinal axis, said retainer having an end wall at each end thereof, each of said end walls being substantially perpendicular to said axis, a cylindrical side wall formed about said axis and connected to and extending inwardly from each of said end walls toward the center of said retainer, said end walls together with said side walls defining two cups, each of said cups being spaced apart to define an open area therebetween to provide for the insertion of a capsule, and a rib extending across said open area and connected to each of said cups, said rib being adapted for connection to said vibrator;

b. a detent reciprocably disposed within each of said cups so as to move along said axis, each of said detents having a first portion having a circular cross section, the outer-diameter of each of said first portions being adapted to slidably cooperate with the inner annular surface of its associated cup, spring means disposed between each of said end walls and each of said detents for biasing said detents inwardly toward the center of said retainer, and means forming an opening through each of said detents, and about said axis, the surface of each detent which is disposed nearest the other detent being dished from said opening to assist in holding a capsule between said detents.

2. A universal capsule holder as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said end walls has a circular end opening therein and formed about said axis, said means comprising a tubularextension extending through the end opening of its associated cup, the outer diameter of each of said tubular extensions being less than the outer diameter of the first portion of its associated detent, and being adapted to slidingly cooperate with the end opening of its associated cup. j

3. A capsule holder as set forth in claim 2, including means for reciprocably retaining each of saiddetents within its associated cup while simultaneously preventing the rotation of each of said detents about said axis, each of said dished surfaces having a portion thereof removed at the top of said holder to facilitate the insertion of a capsule between said detents.

4. A capsule holder as set forth in claim 3, wherein said spring means is a coiled spring and each of said tubular extensions extends through its associated coiled spring.

5. A capsule holder as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said dished surfaces has at least one circular shoulder formed therein for receiving capsules having squared circular ends.

6. A capsule holder as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said first portions comprises an annular exteneach of said cylindrical walls, a recess formed in each of said detents disposed in alignment with the clip opening in its associated cup and a retainer clip mounted on each of said cups and having a portion thereof extending through the clip opening in its associated cup. 

1. A universal capsule holder for use on a high speed vibrator comprising: a. an elongated retainer formed about a longitudinal axis, said retainer having an end wall at each end thereof, each of said end walls being substantially perpendicular to said axis, a cylindrical side wall formed about said axis and connected to and extending inwardly from each of said end walls toward the center of said retainer, said end walls together with said side walls defining two cups, each of said cups being spaced apart to define an open area therebetween to provide for the insertion of a capsule, and a rib extending across said open area and connected to each of said cups, said rib being adapted for connection to said vibrator; b. a detent reciprocably disposed within each of said cups so as to move along said axis, each of said detents having a first portion having a circular cross-section, the outer-diameter of each of said first portions being adapted to slidably cooperate with the inner annular surface of its associated cup, spring means disposed between each of said end walls and each of said detents for biasing said detents inwardly toward the center of said retainer, and means forming an opening through each of said detents, and about said axis, the surface of each detent which is disposed nearest the other detent being dished from said opening to assist in holding a capsule between said detents.
 2. A universal capsule holder as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said end walls has a circular end opening therein and formed about said axis, said means comprising a tubular extension extending through the end opening of its associated cup, the outer diameter of each of said tubular extensions being less than the outer diameter of the first portion of its associated detent, and being adapted to slidingly cooperate with the end opening of its associated cup.
 3. A capsule holder as set forth in claim 2, including means for reciprocably retaining each of said detents within its associated cup while simultaneously preventing the rotation of each of said detents about said axis, each of said dished surfaces having a portion thereof removed at the top of said holder to facilitate the insertion of a capsule between said detents.
 4. A capsule holder as set forth in claim 3, wherein said spring means is a coiled spring and each of said tubular extensions extends through its associated coiled spring.
 5. A capsule holder as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said dished surfaces has at least one circular shoulder formed therein for receiving capsules having squared circular ends.
 6. A capsule holder as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said first portions comprises an annular extension, the inner diameter of each of said annular extensions being greater than the outer diameter of the tubular extension of its associated detent, and a portion of each of said coiled springs being disposed between said annular extension and said tubular extension.
 7. A capsule holder as set forth in claim 6, wherein said detent retaining and detent rotation preventing means comprises a clip opening extending through each of said cylindrical walls, a recess formed in each of said detents disposed in alignment with the clip opening in its associated cup and a retainer clip mounted on each of said cups and having a portion thereof extending through the clip opening in its associated cup. 